Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 1995 Reference No: 663927 Model Name: Cartier Panthère Material: 18k yellow gold, emerald and onyx Calibre: Quartz Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Cartier Dimensions: 16mm Wide Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by red leather Cartier fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Cartier celebrated the 100th anniversary of the panthère in 2014. The motif has been an integral part of the Cartier luxury brand since the beginning of the 20th-century. Following early interior décor, which used exotic animal skins and furs, like the panther, in their design, Cartier integrated the look into their watches and jewellery creating a lady’s wristwatch with diamond and onyx simulated panther pattern in 1914.
The present bangle watch from the 1990s is a lovely quartz edition. The watch is enhanced with emerald eyes and onyx nose and in excellent condition.
With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.
Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open.